CMS: Accelerated/advanced payments climb to $51B

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has delivered more than $51 billion in Medicare accelerated and advance payments to Part A providers, including hospitals, and Part B suppliers to combat resource challenges related to COVID-19, the agency said yesterday, up from $34 billion reported by the agency earlier this week. AHA has urged the agency to reduce the withhold on claims during repayment, and waive or reduce the interest on balances owed on accelerated/advanced payments made during the emergency. For more information, see AHA’s advisories on the CMS expansion of the Medicare Accelerated Payment Program and the clarification of Accelerated/Advanced Payment Programs.